Ornament cartons



Get. 29, 1968 5. A. MANIZZA ORNAMENT CARTONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28, 1966 ENTOR Tm- Wm M w T x 2&8 in .5 v Ill m l|| GUELFO QMANIZZA w hm On 3 m, Pi M; W

ATTORNEYS Oct. 29, 1968 e. A. MANlZZA 3,407,986

ORNAMENT CARTONS Filed Jan. 28, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR GuE u o h. MAmzzA Oct. 29, 1968 5. A. MANIZZA ORNAMENT CARTONS INVENTOR GUELFO AM mZ ATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 28, 1966 Oct. 29, 1968 G. A. MANIZZA ORNAMENT CARTONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 28, 1966 GUELFO Q. Ma??? ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,407,986 Patented Oct. 29, 1968 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is directed to a carton having the customary bottom, top, side and end walls with article-housing means formed in the top wall. A pair of generally parallel ribs project beyond the top wall and function to protect portions of the articles projecting above the top wall.

The ribs include locking tabs which are received in and interlockingly engage with the article-housing means.

This invention relates to novel cartons for housing frangible articles, and is particularly directed to cartons for Christmas tree ornaments which are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, can be rapidly set up, and includes means for both cushioning and protecting articles housed or packaged therein.

A primary object of this invention is to provide novel cartons for frangible articles which include a bottom wall, a top wall above the bottom wall and spaced therefrom, a pair of spaced side walls between the top and bottom walls, a pair of spaced end walls between the top and bottom walls, means for housing a plurality of articles in the top wall, means for protecting housed articles from breakage, the last-mentioned means being a rib adjacent each of the end walls, each rib being defined by an extension of an associated one of the end walls, each extension being folded upon itself, a locking tab associated with each extension, and each locking tab being received in and interlocked with the housing means.

A further object of this invention is to provide novel cartons of the type immediately above described which includes means for gripping and cushioning each of the articles within the housing means.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel carton of the type heretofore described in which the bottom wall includes aperture means through which a persons fingers can be inserted to remove individual ones of the articles as desired from the housing means.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claimed subject matter, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a novel carton blank constructed in accordance with this invention with parts thereof shown in phantom outline, and illustrates the general configuration of the carton blank prior to it being setup.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the carton blank of FIGURE 1 after portions thereof have been folded into overlying relationship, and illustrates an end panel joined to opposite edges of a bottom panel and an extension rib-forming panel associated with each of the end panels.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view with a portion thereof broken away for clarity of the blank of FIGURE 2 after the latter has been turned downside up, and illustrates a plurality of article cells in a top wall of the carton blank and an opening associated with each article cell.

FIGURE 4 is a top perspective view of a novel carton formed from the carton blank of FIGURES 1-3, and illustrates several articles received in the article cells and a pair of article-protecting ribs formed from the extension panels.

FIGURE 5 is a bottom perspective view of the carton of FIGURE 4, and illustrates a plurality of openings in a bottom wall thereof.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 6-6 of FIGURE 4, and illustrates the interlocking relationship between the interlocking tabs of the exltlension panels and the openings in the compartment ce s.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 7-7 of FIGURE 4, and illustrates the manner in which a selected one of the articles is removed from an associated article cell.

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of another novel carton blank constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates the general configuration thereof.

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of one-half of the carton blank of FIGURE 8, and illustrates the carton blank of FIGURE 8 in folded form.

FIGURE 10 is a slightly enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 1010 of FIGURE 9, and illustrates the manner in which a bottom panel of the carton is secured to a top panel thereof along a longitudinal center line of the carton.

A novel carton constructed in accordance with this invention is fully illustrated in FIGURES l-7 of the drawings, and is generally referred to by the reference numeral 10. The structure and function of the carton 10 will be best understood by first referring to a carton blank 12 of FIGURES l-3 of the drawings.

The carton blank 12 (FIGURE 1) is a generally flat, elongated member formed from paperstock or similar relatively foldable material. As is best illustrated in FIG- URE l, the carton blank 12 is of a generally I-I-shaped configuration prior to being folded (FIGURES 2 and 3) and set-up to form the carton 10 in FIGURES 4 and 5.

The carton blank 12 includes a first bottom panel or wall 13 defined by a transverse fold line 14, and a pair of spaced parallel longitudinal fold lines 15, 16 and a transverse edge 17. A plurality of identical circular openings 18 are formed in the bottom panel 13 to facilitate the removal of articles from the carton 10, as will be more fully apparent hereinafter. A triangular opening 20 is also formed in the bottom panel 13 adjacent the fold line 14 substantially midway between the longitudinal fold lines 15 and 16.

A first side panel 21 is joined to the bottom panel 20 along the fold line 14. The first side panel 21 is set off by the transverse fold line 14, another transverse fold line 22, and a pair of generally parallel, spaced longitudinal fold lines 23, 24.

Closure flaps 25, 26 are joined to the side panel 21 along the respective fold lines 23, 24.

A top panel 27 is joined to the first side panel 21 along the fold line 22. The top panel 27 is defined by the fold line 22, another transverse fold line 28 and a pair of spaced, parallel longitudinal fold lines 30, 31. A plurality of article housing means or article cells 32, 33 are.

formed in the top panel 27.

Each of the article cells 33 is identical and includes a generally octagonal fold line 44 and two crossed score lines 45, 46 which define four generally pie-shaped gripping tabs 47-50. In a preferred form of the invention there is one row of four of the article cells 33, but it is to be understood that more or less than this number of article cells may be provided in the top panel 27.

The article cells 32 are positioned on each side of the row of article cells 33, and each of the article cells 32 is identical. The article cells 32 are similarly of a generally octagonal configuration and include a fold line 51 and a generally Y-shaped score line or line of severance 52. The lines of severance 52 of the upper row of article cells 32 are of an inverted Y-shaped configuration while the severance lines 52 of the lower row of article cells 32 are of an upright Y-configuration. In each case the severance lines 52 define three gripping tabs 5355 which are adapted for inward folding about the fold line 51, as will be more apparent hereafter. Each of the article cells 32 also includes a generally hexagonal opening or aperture 56, the function of which will be more apparent hereafter.

A pair of flaps 57, 58 are secured to the top panel 27 along the respective longitudinal fold lines 30, 31.

A second side panel 60 is joined to the top panel 27 along the transverse fold line 28. A second side panel 60 is defined by the transverse fold line 28, another transverse fold line 61, and a pair of 1ongitudinal, spaced fold lines 62, 63.

A pair of flaps 64, are joined to the second side panel 60 along the respective fold lines 62, 63.

Another bottom panel 69 is joined to the second side panel 60 along the transverse fold line 61. The bottom panel 69 is defined by the transverse fold line 61, a transverse 'fold line 66, and a pair of spaced generally parallel longitudinal fold lines 67, 68. The bottom panel 69 includes openings 70 which are generally circular in configuration and correspond to the openings of the bottom panel 13.

A partition panel 71 is joined to the bottom panel 69 along the fold line 66. A partition panel 71 is defined by the transverse fold line 66, a transverse fold line 72, and a pair of longitudinal fold lines 73, 74. Securing tabs 75 are joined to the partition panel 71 along the fold line 72.

Flaps 76, 77 are also joined to the partition panel 71 along the respective fold lines 73, 74.

End panels 80, 81 and 82, 83 are joined to the respective bottom panels 13, 69 along the fold lines 15, 16, 67, 68, respectively. The end panel is defined by the longitudinal fold line 15, a pair of score lines 84, 85 forming a portion of the fold line 15, a pair of transverse edges 86, 87 and a longitudinal fold line 88. As will be more apparent hereafter, the score cut lines 84, 85 define a pair of legs 90, 91. The end panel 81 is defined by the fold line 16, a pair of score lines 92, 93 defining legs 94, 95, respectively, transverse edges 96, 97 and a fold line 98. The end panel 82 is defined by the longitudinal fold line 67, a pair of score lines 99, 100 defining legs 101, 102, respectively, transverse edges 103, 104 and a longitudinal fold line 105. The end panel 83 is similarly defined by the longitudinal fold line 68, score lines 106, 107 defining legs 108, 109, respectively, transverse edges 110, 111 and a longitudinal fold line 112.

An extension panel, generally referred to by the reference numerals 115, 116, 117 and 118 is joined to the respective end panels 80-83. The extension panels 118 are identical, and a description of the extension panel 115 will be sufficient for a complete understanding of the invention. The extension panel 115 includes a pair of panels 120, 121 separated from one another along a longitudinal fold line 122. The panel is defined by the fold lines 88, 122, a transverse edge 123 and a fold line 124 along which is secured a flap 125. The panel 121 is similarly defined by the fold line 122, the transverse edge 123, a fold line 126 to which is joined a flap 127 and an irregular edge 128 which defines a pair of locking or interlocking tabs 130, 131.

The carton blank 12 of FIGURE 1 is set up to form the carton 10 of FIGURE 4 by first holding the bottom panel 69 about the fold line 61 into overlying relationship to the side panel 60 and the top panel 27, as is indicated by the unnumbered headed arrow indicating clockwise movement in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. This folding positions the tabs 75 and adhesive A thereon against the top panel 27, it being noted from the phantom outline illustration that the spacing between the tabs is 4 sufficient to prevent the tabs from being secured to any of the article cells 32, 33.

Thereafter, the bottom panel 13 and side panel 21 are folded along the fold line 22 and are brought into overlying adhesive engagement with the bottom panel 69, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. This same folding brings the extension panels 115, 116 into overlying adhesive engagement with the respective extension panels 117, 118 (FIGURE 2).

The carton blank 12 of FIGURE 3 is now folded along the fold lines 14, 22, 28 and 61 to impart a generally rectangular configuration to the blank with the side panels 21, 60 in parallel relationship and the top and bottom panels 27, 13, 69 in similar spaced parallel relationship. The flaps 25, 57, 64, 77, 26, 58, 65 and 77 are folded at right angles to the respective panels 21, 27, 60 and 69 by folding along the respective fold lines 23, 30, 62, 67, 24, 31, 63 and 68. Thereafter, the end panels 80, 81, 82 and 83 are folded upwardly about their respective fold lines 15, 16, 67 and 68. This positions the end panels 80-83 in contact with adhesive A on the flaps 57, 58. Each of the panels 121 of the extension panels 115-118 is folded about its respective fold line 122 and the locking tabs 130, 131 are inserted through the openings 56 of the associated cells 32, in the manner best illustrated in FIGURE 4 of the drawings. The locking tabs 31 are forced beneath the top panel 27 and grip the same in the manner best illustrated by the locking tab in FIGURE 6 of the drawings. Due to this construction, the carton 10 is pro vided with a pair of protecting ribs, generally referred to by the reference numerals 119, 129 which are of a height greater than the upwardly projecting height of ornaments O or similar articles received in each of the cells 32, 33. The rib 119 is defined by the extensions 115, 122 while the rib 129 is defined by the extensions 116, 118.

The ornaments O or like articles of a frangible nature are inserted into the article cells 32, 33 by merely applymg a downward force against each cell which causes the various flaps 47-50 and 53-55 to deflect downwardly into the space (unnumbered) between the top panel 27 and the bottom panel 13, 69. Once the articles 0 have been fully inserted into the cells the flaps 47-50 and 53-55 function to both grippingly retain the articles 0 in the cells and serve as flexible shock dampers or cushions to prevent the articles from being accidentally or inadvertently damaged when the carton 10 is subjected to shock of any kind. If desired, the entire carton 10 can be wrapped in decorative transparent material and hung by the aperture 20 (FIGURE 5) for purposes of display. A wrapper need not, of course, be employed in the practice of this invention since the articles 0 are grippingly maintamed in the carton 10 by the flaps of the article cells 32, 33 and covers and other auxiliary means are superfluous.

The articles 0 are removed from the carton 10 by first removing an outer wrapping (if used) and inserting a finger through a selected one of the openings 18, 70 in the respective bottom panels 13, 69, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 7 of the drawings. There is one opening 18 or 70 associated with each of the article cells 32, 33, and it is, therefore, readily apparent that each of the articles 0 can be readily and rapidly removed from the carton by rnerely applying light upward pressure through the openmgs.

Another novel carton blank constructed in accordance with this invention is fully illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawings, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 140. The carton blank is similar to the carton blank 12 of FIGURES 1-3, but is designed to accommodate six articles, as opposed to the twelve articles packaged in the carton formed from the blank 12.

The carton blank 140 includes a bottom panel 141 of a generally rectangular configuration. The bottom panel 141 is defined by a pair of longitudinal fold lines 142, 143, a transverse fold line 144, and a transverse terminal edge 145. The bottom panel 141 includes a plurality of generally circular openings 146.

A first side panel 147 is secured to the bottom panel 141 along the fold line 144. The side panel 147 is defined by the transverse fold line 144, a transverse fold line 148, and a pair of longitudinal fold lines 150, 151.

A flap 152 is joined to the side panel 147 along the fold line 150, while a similar fiap 153 is joined to the side panel 147 along the fold line 151.

A top panel 154 is joined to the side panel 147 along the fold line 148. The top panel 154 is also of a generally rectangular configuration and is defined by the fold line 148, another transverse fold line 155, and a pair of longitudinal fold lines 156, 157.

A plurality of article cells 158, 160 are formed in the top panel 154. The article cells 158 include apertures or openings 161 and three flaps (unnumbered). The article cells 158 are identical to the article cells 32 of the carton blank 12. The article cells 160 each include four flaps (unnumbered), and each of the article cells 160 is similarly identical to the article cells 33 of the carton 12.

A flap 162 is joined to the top panel 154 along the fold line 156 while a similar flap 163 is joined to the top panel 154 along the fold line 157.

A second side panel 165 is joined to the top panel 154 along the fold line 155. The second side panel 165 is defined by the transverse fold line 155, another transverse fold line 166, and a pair of spaced, generally parallel longitudinal fold lines 167, 168.

A fiap 170 is joined to the side panel 165 along the fold line 167, and a similar flap 171 is joined to the side panel 165 along the fold line 168.

Another generally rectangular bottom panel 172 is joined to the side panel 165 along the fold line 166. The bottom panel 172 is defined by the transverse fold line 166, another transverse fold line 173, and a pair of longitudinal edges 174, 175. Three generally circular openings 176 are formed in the bottom panel 172.

A central reinforcing panel 177 is joined to the panel 172 along the fold line 173. The reinforcing panel 177 is defined by the fold line 173, a pair of longitudinal fold lines 180, 181 and interrupted fold line 182 along which are joined a plurality of adhesively coated tabs 183.

A flap 184 is joined to the panel 177 along the fold line 180 while a similar flap 185 is joined to the panel 177 along the fold line 181.

The carton blank 140 includes a pair of end-forming panels 186, 187 joined to the bottom panel 141 along the respective fold lines 142, 143. The end panel 186 is defined by the fold line 142, a longitudinal fold line 188, a portion of the transverse edge 145, and a transverse edge 190. The end panel 187 is defined by the fold line 143, a portion of the transverse edge 145, a fold line 191, and a transverse edge 192.

An extension panel 193 is secured to the end panel 186 along the fold line 188 while a similar extension panel 194 is joined to the end panel 187 along the fold line 191. The extension panels 193, 194 are identical, and each extension panel includes a panel 195 joined to a terminal panel 196 along a fold line 197. The panels 196 include interlocking tabs 198. The extension panels 193, 194 correspond to the panels 115-118 of the carton blank 112, and, upon the erection of the carton blank 140 into a carton, form projecting ribs corresponding to the ribs 119, 129.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 9 of the drawings which illustrates the folding of the carton blank 140 prior to the closing of the various flaps which form end panels (not shown) of the completed carton (also not shown). The carton blank of FIGURE 9 is formed by first folding the bottom panel 172 along the fold line 166 to bring the panels 172, 177 into overlying relationship to the panels 165, 154 (FIGURE 8). This corresponds to the first fold heretofore described with reference to the carton blank 12, and it is to be also noted that the tabs 183 are there- 6 by brought into adhesive contact with the top panel 154 between the article cells 158, 160.

The panels 141, 147 are thereafter folded about the fold line 148 to bring the panels into overlying relationship to the bottom panel 172 with the openings 176 therein aligned with three of the openings in the bottom panel 141.

The carton blank 10 is now folded completely fiat but can be erected to form a carton by first folding the carton about the fold lines 144, 148, and 166, in the manner shown in FIGURE 10, until the side panels 147, are in parallel spaced relationship, as are the panels 154 and 141, 172. The longitudinal center of the carton is reinforced by the panel 177, as is readily apparent from FIGURE 10 of the drawings. Thereafter, the flaps 152, 162, 170, 184, 153, 163, 171 and are folded normal to the associated panels 147, 154, 165 and 172 about the associated fold lines. The end panels 186, 187 are then brought into overlying adhesive contact with the panels 156, 163, after which the terminal panel 196 of each of the extension panels 193, 194 is reversely bent downwardly toward the top panel 154 about the associated fold lines 197. The interlocking tabs 198 are then interlocked through the openings 161 in the article cells 158 to complete the setting-up of the carton (not shown). Articles are inserted into, retained and removed from the cells 158, 160 in the manner heretofore described with respect to the carton 10.

While preferred forms and arrangements of parts have been shown in illustrating the invention, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in details and arrangements of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claimed subject matter.

I claim:

1. A carton comprising a bottom wall, a top wall above said bottom wall and spaced therefrom, a pair of spaced side Walls between said top and bottom walls, a pair of spaced end walls between said top and bottom walls, means for housing a plurality of articles in said top wall, means for protecting housed articles from breakage, said last-mentioned means being a rib adjacent each of the end walls, each rib projecting above said top wall, means securing each rib to said top wall, said securing means including a locking tab carried by each of said ribs received in and interlocked with said housing means, and said housing means being defined by a plurality of article-receiving openings each adapted to receive an article therein.

2. The carton as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said ribs is defined by an extension of an associated one of said end walls, and said locking tabs are carried by an associated terminal panel of each extension.

3. The carton as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said ribs is defined by an extension of an associated one of said end walls, each extension is folded upon itself, and said locking tabs are carried by an associated terminal panel of each extension.

4, The carton as defined in claim 3 including means for gripping and cushioning each of the articles within said housing means.

5. A carton blank comprising an elongated sheet material member, a plurality of transverse and longitudinal fold lines dividing said blank into a top panel, a pair of side panels, and a bottom panel, means in said top panel for housing a plurality of articles upon the erection of said blank into a carton, an end forming panel joined to said bottom panel along each of a pair of spaced fold lines, an extension panel joined to each of said end forming panels, each extension panel having at least one locking tab, means are provided in said top panel for interlockingly securing said locking tabs upon the folding of said extension panels whereby the latter are formed into article-protecting ribs along each of the end panels, said interlocking means being defined in part and in part being terial member, a plurality of transverse and longitudinalfold lines dividing said blank into a top panel, a pair of side panels, and a bottom panel, means in said tap panel for housing a plurality of articles upon the erection of said blank into a carton, an end forming panel joined to said bottom panel along each of a pair of spaced fold lines, an extension panel joined to each of said end forming panels, each extension panel having at least one locking tab, means provided in said top panel for interlockingly securing said locking tabs upon the folding of said extension panels whereby the latter are formed into article-protecting ribs along each of the end panels, said blank includes another bottom panel, another end forming panel joined to said bottom panel along each of a pair of spaced fold lines, another extension panel joined to each of said another end forming panels, each of said another extension panel having at least one locking tab, and means are provided in said top panel for interlockingly receiving said last-mentioned locking tab upon the folding of said another extension panels whereby the latter in part define said article-protection ribs.

7. The carton blank as defined in claim 6 wherein said blank is in folded flattened form, means for securing said last-mentioned bottom panel along an edge portion thereof to said top panel, and means for securing adjacent ones of said first-mentioned and said another extension panels to each other.

8. A carton comprising a bottom wall, a top wall above said bottom wall and spaced therefrom, a pair of spaced side walls between said top and bottom walls, a pair of spaced end walls between said top and bottom walls, means for housing a plurality of articles in said top wall, means for protecting housed articles from breakage, said last-mentioned means being a rib adjacent each of the end walls, each rib projecting above said top wall, said housing means include a plurality of article-receiving pockets, said pockets are defined by a plurality of article cushioning and supporting flaps adapted to be deflected toward said bottom wall upon the insertion of an article therein, said pockets having a free terminal edge immediately adjacent an adjacent rib, and said locking tabs are interlockingly engaged beneath the top panel adjacent said terminal edges.

9. A carton comprising a bottom wall, a top wall above said bottom wall and spaced therefrom, a pair of spaced side walls between said top and bottom walls, a pair of spaced end walls between said top and bottom walls, means for housing a plurality of articles in said top wall, means for protecting housed articles from breakage, said last-mentioned means being a rib adjacent each of the end walls, each rib projecting above said top wall, said bottom wall is defined by a pair of bottom panels in at least partial overlapping relationship, and finger-receiving openings in said bottom panels being in axial alignment with each other and with said housing means.

10. A carton comprising a bottom wall, a top wall above said bottom wall and spaced therefrom, a pair of spaced side walls between said top and bottom walls, a pair of spaced end walls between said top and bottom walls, means for housing a plurality of articles in said top wall, means for protecting housed articles from breakage, said last-mentioned means being a rib adjacent each of the end walls, each rib projecting above said top wall, said housing means include a plurality of article-receiving pockets, said pockets are defined by a plurality of article cushioning and supporting flaps adapted to be defiected toward said bottom wall upon the insertion of an article therein, said pockets have an opening defined in part by a free terminal edge immediately adjacent an adjacent rib, and said locking tabs are interlockingly engaged beneath the top panel adjacent said terminal edges whereby said locking tabs additionally cooperate with said flaps to cushion and support articles received in said pockets.

11. The carton as defined in claim 10 wherein each of said ribs is defined by an extension of an associated one of said end walls, each extension is folded upon itself, and said locking tabs are carried by an associated terminal panel of each extension.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,040,961 6/1962 Meyers 229-30 X 3,095,086 6/1963 Berg 20645.19 3,209,980 10/1965 Festa 22928 3,229,889 1/1966 Vrana 229-28 3,246,738 4/1966 Weiss et a1 20645.19 X 2,914,235 11/1954 Jones 229-34 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,116,409 2/1956 France.

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner. 

